Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives at Lambeth Palace in central London February 15, 2012. Together with Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, they were attending a Diamond Jubilee multi-faith reception hosted by The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth talked about the importance of religion and underlined the nation's duty to protect free practice of all faiths in an increasingly secular society at a multi-faith reception to mark Queen's Diamond Jubilee at Lambeth Palace Wednesday.

Surprisingly, the 85-year-old monarch delivered a firm defense of Christianity and religion.

We should remind ourselves of the significant position of the Church of England in our nation's life, she said. The concept of our established Church is occasionally misunderstood and, I believe, commonly under-appreciated.

Graceful in a red costume, the Queen attended the multi-faith reception along with the Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Jane, at the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams.

She met the representatives of both Christian and other religions including Baha'i, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism.

Our religions provide critical guidance for the way we live our lives and for the way in which we treat each other, the Queen said in an address to the leaders of eight religions.

This gathering is a reminder of how much we owe the nine major religious traditions represented here. They are sources of a rich cultural heritage and have given rise to beautiful sacred objects and holy texts, as we have seen today, she said in her speech.

She even emphasized that the church had a duty to protect the freedom of worship for all faiths in the country, adding that her accent is intended to build a better society.

Its role is not to defend Anglicanism to the exclusion of other religions. Instead, the Church has a duty to protect the free practice of all faiths in this country, she said.

Prince Philip and I are delighted to be with you today to pay tribute to the particular mission of Christianity and the general value of faith in this country, the Queen added.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prince Philip (L), the Duke of Edinburgh, arrive at Lambeth Palace in central London February 15, 2012. They were attending a Diamond Jubilee multi-faith reception hosted by The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (R) attend a multi-faith reception to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at Lambeth Palace in London February 15, 2012. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth is shown the Codex Valmadonna I book by Jewish guests, (L-R) President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Vivian Wineman, Chairman of Ostro Minerals Schweiz AG, Maurice Ostro and Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, Jonathan Sacks during a multi-faith reception to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at Lambeth Palace in London February 15, 2012. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth (L) meets The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams as she arrives at Lambeth Palace in central London February 15, 2012. Together with Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, they were attending a Diamond Jubilee multi-faith reception hosted by The Archbishop of Canterbury. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth speaks with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams during a multi-faith reception to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at Lambeth Palace in London February 15, 2012. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth speaks with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (R), and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor as they attend a multi-faith reception to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at Lambeth Palace in London February 15, 2012. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth smiles towards onlookers as she leaves Lambeth Palace in central London February 15, 2012. She and Prince Philip were attending a Diamond Jubilee multi-faith reception hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives at Lambeth Palace in central London February 15, 2012. Together with Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, they were attending a Diamond Jubilee multi-faith reception hosted by The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams. Image Credit: Reuters

Britain's Queen Elizabeth waves goodbye to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams as she leaves with Prince Philip after attending a multi-faith reception to mark her Diamond Jubilee at Lambeth Palace in London February 15, 2012. Image Credit: Reuters